Cream and lather applicator

ABSTRACT

For the spreading of shave cream lather, depilatories, unguents and the like substances on the face or other parts of the body, an improved applicator of the type attached to an aerosol container: wherein a deflection plate and/or an expansion chamber coacts with the applicator and the aerosol valve orifice, to direct the flow of lather and the like onto the spreading surface, and to prevent the lather from squirting into the eyes or other undesired areas of the user; wherein the operation of the valve is controlled by lever mechanisms, pressing plates, and locking stops.

United States Patent Pass [54] CREAM AND LATHER APPLICATOR [72]Inventor: Roger D. PBS, 1119 W. Montana Ave., St. Paul, Minn. 55108 [22]Filed: Sept. 22, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 74,387

[52] US. Cl. ..40l/190, 222/402.1l, 401/263,

401/264 [51] Int. Cl ..A46b 5/02, B653 83/06 Field of Search 401/ 190,264; ZZZ/402.1 1,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1967 Cox et a1. ..40l/1901/1968 Williams et al. ..401/190 X 6/ 1968 Focht ..40l/ 190 [1513,685,913 [451 Aug. 22, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS operationof the valve is controlled by lever mechanisms, pressing plates, andlocking stops.

4 Claims, 34 Drawing Figures PATENIEII M1922 m2.

sum 1 or 4 FIG. 9

FIG;

FIG. 10

FIG. 5

FIG. 12

FATENTED M1822 m2 FIG. 17.

sum 2 nr 4 FIG. 22 W 2? flaw/ CREAM AND LATHER APPLICATORCROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS INVENTION In a previouslyapplied for patent filed by the applicant, Roger D. Pass, Ser. no.22544, group no. 336, filing date Mar. 25, 1970, an applicator forspreading shave cream lather was described that provided for anapplicator to be attached to an aerosol container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.

I Field of the Invention Dispensing, particularly from aerosolcontainers (class 222, dispensing) and the simultaneous spreading of thedispensed material (class 118, coating apparatus).

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art includes: shave creamlather dispensing aerosol containers having a valve for regulating theflow of lather through an orifice with means of actuating the valve; anapplicator for the spreading of lather on the face or other parts of thebody adaptable for attachment to the aerosol container. (For priorapplicator art refer to patent filed by the applicant, Roger D. Pass,Ser. no. 22544, group no. 336, filing date Mar. 25, 1970, Applicator ForShaving Lather). This invention is superior to the existing prior art inthat it utilizes a combination of expansion chambers and/or-deflectionplates which prevent the lather and the like from squirting from theapplicator into the eyes or other undesired areas of the user. There arealso incorporated into the applicator improved means of operating theaerosol valve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a preferred embodiment, an expansion chamber(i.e., a concave depression) is located in the spreading surface of theapplicator. The aerosol valve tube or an extension tube of an aerosolvalve tube protrudes through the base of and into the expansionchamber,or protrudes into a convex hub located within the expansionchamber. An orifice or orifices located in the end of the tube whichprotrudes or located in the convex hub deflects the lather comingthrough the tube into the expansion chamber preventing the lather fromsquirting into the eyes or other undesired areas of the user. Valveactuating means include a lever rotatably mounted on the aerosol valvetube or the extension tube and extending to and through a slot in theoutside side of the applicator. When pressed down, the lever wedgesagainst the inside top of the applicator and the tube causing actuationof the aerosol valve. To lock, the lever is rotatably snapped in agroove located in the side of the applicator or a stationary collar isfitted around the inside flange of the aerosol container, having at oneend a raised portion which when the applicator is rotated around theoutside flange of the aerosol container wedges under the leverpreventing its downward movement. By holding the aerosol container sothat the spreading surface rests gently against the face shave creamlather can be ejected and spread directly on the face or other parts ofthe body by the spreading surface without theuser having to worry aboutbeing squirted in the eyes or other undesired areas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional view of anapplicator threaded valve stem hole. The spreading surface has anexpansion chamber.

FIG. 2 is a deflection means attachable to an aerosol valve stem.

FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an applicator with a threaded aerosolvalve stem hole and a locking means. The spreading surface combines anexpansion chamber and a deflection hub.

FIG. 5 is a top view of FIG. 4.

FIG. '6 is atop view of the upper locking means shown in FIG. 4, a lockslide plate.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the lower locking means shown in FIG. 4, a baseplate.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an applicator designed for attaching to anaerosol valve stem. The concave spreading surface covers an expansionchamber.

FIG. 9 is a top view of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an applicator with a flanged base and apressing plate.

FIG. 11 shows a top view of the passage for the shaft of the pressingplate.

FIG. 12 is a top view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view, taken through 13- 13 of FIG. 15, ofan applicator having a convex spreading surface with an expansionchamber and deflection means. A side view is shown of a locking means.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the lower locking plate shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a top view of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of an applicatorwith an expanding flange and a locking stop.

FIG. 17 is a top view of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a developed view of the locking stop shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of an applicator having an expansion chamberwith a separately attached deflection cover.

FIG. 20 is a top view of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is an alternate embodiment of an applicator spreading surface.

FIG. 22 is atop view of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of an applicator spreading surface, lockingstop and a lever arm.

FIG. 24 is a top view of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a side view of FIG. 23 showing a slot for the lever arm.

FIG. 26 is a developed side view of the locking stop shown in FIG. 23.

FIG. 27 is a sectional view of an applicator having interior side walls,a valve actuating lever arm and a deflection extension tube.

FIG. 28 is a top view of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a side view of FIG. 27 showing a slot for locking the leverarm.

FIG. 30 is a top view of the lever arm shown in FIG.

FIG. 31 is a sectional view of an applicator making use ofa push arm toactuate atilt type valve.

FIG. 32 is a top view of FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a sectional view of an aerosol valve protective cap adaptedfor the spreading of said contents.

FIG. 34 is a top view of FIG. 33.

DESCRIPTION OF. THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are of acream and lather applicator having a passage 3 adaptable for threadingthe applicator to the stem of an aerosol valve of the kind operated bytilt motion. This applicator could just as well be attached to a tilttype valve stem by a slide fit of the type shown in FIG. 8. The flatcircular spreading surface 1 surrounds a lather impeding means, which isa means'of directing the flow of. contents onto the spreading surfacewhile preventing said contents from squirting haphazardly into the eyesor other undesired areas of the user. It is understood that an aerosolvalve which the user could easily and exactly control the ejection ofcontents therefrom would partially or even totally eliminate the needfor the impeding means. The lather impeding means incorporated into thisapplicator include an expansion chamber 2 and a deflection capattachable to a tilt type valve stem 6. The ports 4 of said deflectioncap 5 provide an egress for the contents of the aerosol container. Whenassembled, the tilt type valve stem 6 screws or slips on saidpassage 3so that the ports 4 project into the expansion chamber 2. When the baseof the applicator is not resting firmly on the top of the aerosolcontainer the aerosol valve can be actuated by sideway finger pressureon the side of the applicator. Lather is then released through the ports4, into the expansion chamber 2 and onto the spreading surface 1.

tion means and the spreading surface lies not so much in their form, ofwhich they could take many different shapes, but in their ftmction. Thespreading surface could just as well be square, oval, concave, convex,bumpy or any other shape, configuration or size within reason. Itsusefulness lies mainly in its function of spreading the contents on theface or other parts of the body, rather than in its form. The primaryfunction of the expansion chamber is to provide a reservoir in whichshave cream, lather, gels, or dipilatories can expand and/or accumulate.The user could either simultaneously eject and spread said contents onhis body; or the user could first eject enough of contents to fill upthe reservoir and then spread the contents on his body. A secondfunction of the expansion chamber, but not necessarily contingent on thefirst, is to provide a housing for the aerosol valve stem and/ordeflection means.

' The usefulness of the deflection means lies in its function ofdeflecting the lather into the expansion chamber and/or the spreadingsurface.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an applicator having a e I 10 adaptable for threadingthe applicator to the stern of w an aerosol valve of the kind operatedby tilt motion. A

flat, circular spreading surface 11 surrounds a lather impeding meanswhich includes an expansion chamber 12 surrounding a deflection hub 19which surrounds.

said passage 10 and protrudes into said expansion chamber 12. The top ofthe deflection hub 19 could be above, level with or below the spreadingsurface 11.

FIGS. '4, 6 and 7 illustrate alocking means, FIG. 4 showing it in the.locked'position. The lock slide plate 16 when pushed to the maximumdistance allowed by the elongated slot 18 causes at least one-half ofthe applicator base to lie over the beveled area 16 of the lock FIGS. 8and 9 are of an applicator with an impeding means including an expansionchamber 22 and a deflection cover 21 adaptable for attachment as a coverover said expansion chamber'22. The surface of said deflection cover 21is concave, has a multiplicity of openings 24 to provide an egress forthe contents,

and acts as a means for spreading said contents on the face or otherparts of the body. The passage 23 is adaptable for attaching theapplicator to the stem of an aerosol valve of the kind operated by tiltmotion.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show an applicator having: a block ridge 3] whichhinders the flow'of lather over the edge of the circular spreadingsurface 31, exterior sidewalls 33 which attach to the top edge of anaerosol container by the flange 33, a deflection extension tube 36slidably set in a passage 38 centrally located in the expansion chamber32 having one end attached to an aerosol valve stem 39 and the other endto a pressing plate 35. Pressure applied to said pressing plate 35activates an aerosol valve which releases lather into said expansionchamber 32 through the ports 34 and onto said spreading surface 31. Thelocking means consists of two lugs 30, located on said deflectionextension tube 36 which canbe aligned by rotation with the two grooves37 located on the expansion chamber 32 at the periphery of said e 38, topermit downward movement of said deflection extermion tube 36. Byrotating said lugs 30 out of alignment with said grooves 37 downwardmovement of said deflection extensiontube 36 is locked preventingaccidental actuation of the aerosol valve.

FIGS. 13 and 15 show an applicator having a convex spreading surface 41with three independent opening 44 positioned outwardly along the outsideperiphery of passage 42 so that the portion of the spreading surface 41'between said openings 44 acts as a lather deflecting means. A continuousgroove 45 located on the inside circumference of said passage 42 acts togrip a mating projection located on a tilt type valve stem so that theapplicator is capable of snapping on and rotating around said tilt typevalve stem.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a locking means, FIG. 14 showing a top viewof the base lock plate 46 having three equally spaced gear teeth 47.

' FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 show an applicator having exterior sidewalls 53terminating in an expanding flange 53' which grips the top edge of anaerosol container tightly at pivot point 57 and then expands graduallyaround its circumference to provide a slidable action between theapplicator and the aerosol container.

. When pressure is applied to' the finger pressing indent 50, which ismolded as part of the exterior sidewalls 53 ports 54 located in thedeflection hub'55, into the expansion chamber 52 and onto the spreadingsurface 51.

A locking means consists of a stationary collar 59 having three levelsfitted around the inside valve housing flange 65 of an aerosolcontainer. When the applicator is rotated on the aerosol container, aguiding projection 66 on the underside of the expansion chamber 52 abutsagainst the side of level 67 and rests upon level 68. .In this positiondownward movement of the applicator is locked preventing accidentalactuation of the aerosol valve. When the applicator is rotated in theopposite direction so that the guiding projection 66 is over level 69the applicator is unlocked.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show an applicator which is designed to actuate anaerosol valve in the same manner as shown in FIG. 16. The oblique ovalshaped spreading surface 61 has an expansion chamber 62 in which adeflection cover 63 with openings 64 can be inserted. The deflectioncover 63 provides an almost completely smooth flat surface for spreadinglather.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show an applicator in which the ports 74 are located inthe deflection hub 73 which rises above the flat circular spreadingsurface 71. For best results, the tubular holes in the deflection hub 73should be so directed that the lather flows from said ports 74 out anddown upon said spreading surface 71. The deflection hub 73 can also actas a spacer between the face and said spreading surface 71.

FIGS. 23, 24, 25 and 26 show an applicator having exterior sidewalls 83terminating in a flange 87 which grips the top edge of an aerosolcontainer. The deflection extension tube 85 of the lever arm 88 projectsthrough the passage 84' and rotatably engages the stem 86 of the aerosolvalve. When downward pressure is applied to the pressing button 88 ofthe lever arm 88 which extends through the slot 77 in the exteriorsidewalls 83, the end of the lever arm 88 opposite the pressing button88' wedges against the top of the applicator at point 80 and causesdownward movement of the aerosol valve. Lather is then ejected throughthe deflection extension tube 85, out from the ports 84, into theexpansion chamber 82 and onto the spreading surface 81. A locking meansconsists of a stationary collar 78 having three projections fittedaround the inside valve housing flange 79 of an aerosol container. Whenthe applicator is rotated around the aerosol container so that saidlever arm 88 abuts against the side of projection 76' and rests uponprojection 75, the lever arm 88 is locked preventing accidentalactuation of the aerosol valve. When the applicator is rotated in theopposite direction so that said lever arm 88 abuts against the side ofprojection 76, the lever arm 88 is unlocked.

FIGS. 27, 28, 29 and 30 show an applicator having exterior sidewalls 93terminating in flange 97 which grips the top edge of an aerosolcontainer, and having interior sidewalls 90 which grip the inside valvehousing flange 99 of an aerosol container. A lever arm 98 is rotatablymounted on a deflection extension tube 95 which is seated on the aerosolvalve stem and extends through the passage 94'. The lever arm 98projects through three linear slots, slots 100 and 101 located in theinterior sidewalls 90, and slot 102 located in the exterior sidewalls93, and terminates on the outside of the exterior sidewalls 93 in apressing button 98. The ports 94 of the deflection extension tube 95project into the expansion chamber 92. All three of the slots arehorizontally elongated to allow for horizontal rotation of the lever arm98. Only slots 101 and 102 need be vertically elongated to allow fordownward movement of the lever arm 98. When downward pressure is appliedto the pressing button 98', the other end of the lever arm 98 wedgesagainst the top of the slot 100, causing downward movement of theaerosol valve. Lather is then ejected through the deflection extensiontube 95, out from the ports 94, into the expansion chamber 92 and ontothe spreading surface 91. A locking means consists of the L-shaped slot102. When the lever arm 98 is rotated so that it rests in thehorizontally elongated portion of the slot 102, the lever arm 98 islocked preventing accidental actuation of the aerosol valve.

FIGS. 31 and 32 show an applicator having exterior sidewalls 113terminating in flange 113 which grips the top edge of an aerosolcontainer. A push arm 118, seated upon the stem 115 of a tilt typeaerosol valve, is slidably set transversely in the passage 117, extendsoutwardly through slot 116 located in said exterior sidewalls 113 andterminates in a lock button 119. When inward pressure is applied to saidlock button 119 the push arm 118 causes sideways movement of the aerosolvalve. The contents of the aerosol container are then ejected throughthe port 114 of said push arm 118 into the expansion chamber 112 andonto the spreading surface 111.

FIGS. 33 and 34 show a very simple applicator being in the form of anaerosol valve protective cap with a concave spreading surface 121. Tooperate, said protective cap is removed from the aerosol container and aportion of the contents is ejected onto the concave spreading surface121 which acts as a holding reservoir for the contents. The applicatoris then held next to the face or other parts of the body and thecontents are then spread on same by the user.

It is understood that the lather impeding means could also apply to theimpeding of not only shave lather but also shave creams, gels anddepilatories. Therefore, the lather impeding means as described in thespecification will be referred to as the content impeding means in theclaims.

It should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to theparticular embodiments disclosed, as

these are intended to be illustrative of the invention. It

also should be noted that some advantages may be gained by usingparticular embodiments of the disclosed ideas and/or prior art incombinations not shown with each other. Undue multiplicity would resultfrom trying to show every possible combination.

I claim:

1. A cream and lather applicator for the spreading of shave cream latherand the like on the face or body for use on an aerosol container havingan aerosol valve, said applicator comprising incombination: a housing,such as a protective cap having a circular top portion the outsidesurface of which comprises the spreading surface for the said spreadingof shave cream lather and the like on the face or body; side wallsextending from said circular top portion and terminating in a flangeadaptable for attaching to the top edge of an aerosol container, saidflange secured pivotally at one point of its circumference to said topedge of said aerosol container and movable slidably within predeterminedlimits at all other points of said circumference to said top edge ofsaid aerosol container; a passage located in said circular top portionof said protective cap, said e capable of seating the valve stem of saidaerosol valve and conveying shave cream lather and the like from theorifice of said valve stem to said spreading surface; a finger pressingindent on said sidewall opsaid circular top portion of said protectivecap, said deflection hub havingports located therein and incommunication with said passage, said ports at such an angle as todirect the longitudinal flow of shave cream later and the like radiallyoutward and into said expansion chamber.

3. In claim 2 the plane of said spreading surface being at an obliqueangle to the central axis of the body portion of said aerosol container.

4. In claim 2 a locking means consisting of a stations,

ry collar having three levels fitted around the inside valve housingflange of said aerosol container; a guiding projection on the undersideof said expansion chamber; when the applicator is rotated on saidaerosol container, said guiding projection abuts against the side of thetop level and rests over the next lower level ef-' fecting a lockedposition; when the applicator is rotatedso that said guiding projectionrests over the third and v lowest level said applicator is capable of adownward movement which said aerosol valve.

s a a a s

1. A cream and lather applicator for the spreading of shave cream latherand the like on the face or body for use on an aerosol container havingan aerosol valve, said apPlicator comprising in combination: a housing,such as a protective cap having a circular top portion the outsidesurface of which comprises the spreading surface for the said spreadingof shave cream lather and the like on the face or body; side wallsextending from said circular top portion and terminating in a flangeadaptable for attaching to the top edge of an aerosol container, saidflange secured pivotally at one point of its circumference to said topedge of said aerosol container and movable slidably within predeterminedlimits at all other points of said circumference to said top edge ofsaid aerosol container; a passage located in said circular top portionof said protective cap, said passage capable of seating the valve stemof said aerosol valve and conveying shave cream lather and the like fromthe orifice of said valve stem to said spreading surface; a fingerpressing indent on said sidewall opposite of said pivot point so thatdownward pressure on said finger pressing indent results in lever actionmovement of said protective cap to operate said aerosol valve.
 2. Inclaim 1 an expansion chamber surrounding a deflection hub whichsurrounds said passage located in said circular top portion of saidprotective cap, said deflection hub having ports located therein and incommunication with said passage, said ports at such an angle as todirect the longitudinal flow of shave cream lather and the like radiallyoutward and into said expansion chamber.
 3. In claim 2 the plane of saidspreading surface being at an oblique angle to the central axis of thebody portion of said aerosol container.
 4. In claim 2 a locking meansconsisting of a stationary collar having three levels fitted around theinside valve housing flange of said aerosol container; a guidingprojection on the underside of said expansion chamber; when theapplicator is rotated on said aerosol container, said guiding projectionabuts against the side of the top level and rests over the next lowerlevel effecting a locked position; when the applicator is rotated sothat said guiding projection rests over the third and lowest level saidapplicator is capable of a downward movement which actuates said aerosolvalve.